October 2021 by Queen Size Magazine

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ARTICLE TITLE | BY AUTHOR MAKING QUEEN SIZE MOVES

FROM THE DESK OF Tawana Blassingame Founder & Editor in Chief

Welcome to the October 2021 issue of Queen Size Magazine. This year has taught me a lot of things and have really put things into perspective. I have become more creative and have really learned to pivot during these challenging times that we are living in. I am more appreciative of all that I have and even the things that I don’t have; I have learned to not dwell. Most of you know that I work a 9-5 job so having to learn how to be creative and how to balance my work and professional life was a challenge at first. For a while we had to work fully remote; that meant creating a workspace that functioned as a home office for both my 9-5 work and my personal business. It’s not something that I will ever complain about, especially given that many people didn’t have jobs or even homes for that matter. So if I can advise you all on one thing, learn to just appreciate life! Appreciate the air you breathe because if it’s one thing that we have learned, tomorrow is not promised.

Photo by Philip Drew @pdrewphotography

I have also learned the importance of self-care. You know that thing that we have all talked about for years but never really dedicated the time to doing so? During lock-down, we were all having to learn how to care for ourselves, mind, body and soul. Many of us that never meditated, begin practicing that. Many of us really began practicing better health habits. Whether it be eating better or working out; or even both. We fed our minds by reading more. My dad used to always tell me to look at the bright side of things. So while this pandemic was and still proves to be brutal, it also forced us to really slow down and appreciate life. Spread love, spread joy, spread knowledge, and don’t forget to take time to smell the roses. Thank you all for continuing to support Queen Size Magazine. We would love to hear your feedback. Email us at queensizemagazine@gmail.com and let us know what you like, don’t like and/or want to see in future issues. We value your opinion. Be blessed and remember to be a blessing as well.

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MAKING QUEEN SIZE MOVES

MASTHEAD TAWANA BLASSINGAME CEO/Editor In Chief PHILIP DREW Executive Director & Director of Photography MEESHA ANN Executive Director SOCIAL DEPARTMENT SHEENA POSTELL Social Media Correspondant BEAUTY DEPARTMENT LAWANDA SANYANG Beauty Editor / Makeup NATHANIEL JAYE’ Beauty Editor / Hair CRYSTAL D. LEWIS Beauty Editor / Hair FASHION DEPARTMENT ASHLEY WALKER Fashion Editor LIFESTYLE DEPARTMENT Janelle Simmons Lifestyle Editor Nyemade Boiwu Lifestyle Editor

Photographer | Bee Cole @bee_cole Model | Sheena Postell @mspostell MUA | Naisha Yolande @naishayolande Hair | Xia Charles @braided_

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OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE

FEATURED STORY

SHEENA POSTELL - Talks about how she’s grown through what she’s gone through. And how she was able to trust herself to trust the process. . By QSM

HEALTH AND FITNESS

CELEBRATE FAMILY AND FOOD By FAMILY FEATURES

BEAUTY&FASHION

5 STYLE IDEAS FOR HEADING BACK TO THE OFFICE By STATEPOINT

LALA FACES BRAND EXPANSION

CHARLOTTE CLASSY AND CURVY IN THE CITY

THE CROWN YOU WEAR IN REAL LIFE

MOVE ON TO FALL

AFFORDABLE SKIN CARE TIPS TO BATTLE BREAKOUTS AND ACNE

By LAWANDA “LALA FACES” SANYANG

MODEL SPOTLIGHT

CONTENTS

By CRYSTAL D. LEWIS

By ASHLEY WALKER

By STATEPOINT

Q&A WITH NATHANIEL JAYE

YES! TO OLD NAVY AND ITS BODEQUALITY INITIATIVE!

By NATHANIEL JAYE

By QSM

BUSINESS

BLACK VOICES, BLACK STORIES By FAMILY FEATURES

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HEALTH AND FITNESS

FAMILY FEATURES

Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells

amily traditions and in-person connections are important parts Recipe courtesy of chef Kevin Curry of gatherings of loved ones, and many of those get-togethers Servings: 6-8 are centered on food. The entire family coming together around 6 ounces jumbo pasta shells a table covered with warm, delicious food to share stories and 2 tablespoons olive oil create new memories is what makes mealtime special. 1 tablespoon fresh garlic Forty chefs from around the nation came together to create “Come to the Table,” which offers a delicious mix of cuisines from a variety 1 medium onion, diced WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| of cultures, including this sampling of classic familyOCTOBER favorites, sweet 2021 ISSUE 5 portobello mushroom caps, gills removed then diced indulgences and family-style creations all inspired by what family 1 pinch sea salt, plus additional, to taste means to each chef. 1 pinch pepper, plus additional, to taste “Sales from this book will directly benefit the families we serve, 2 cups shredded kale so we are so grateful for each and every chef that has offered their 3 tablespoons water time and talent to this cookbook,” said Jill Cumnock, CEO of Ronald 15 ounces skim milk ricotta cheese

CELEBRATE FAMILY AND FOOD | FAMILY FEATURES

Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells

FAMILY FEATURES

amily traditions and in-person connections are important parts of gatherings of loved ones, and many of those get-togethers are centered on food. The entire family coming together around a table covered with warm, delicious food to share stories and create new memories is what makes mealtime special. Forty chefs from around the nation came together to create “Come to the Table,” which offers a delicious mix of cuisines from a variety of cultures, including this sampling of classic family favorites, sweet indulgences and family-style creations all inspired by what family means to each chef. “Sales from this book will directly benefit the families we serve, so we are so grateful for each and every chef that has offered their time and talent to this cookbook,” said Jill Cumnock, CEO of Ronald McDonald House of Dallas. “The way ‘Come to the Table’ has been created reminds me of a recipe that culminates in a feast for the senses. We can’t think of a better way to celebrate our 40th anniversary, particularly at a time when families are starting to reunite after the pandemic forced so many apart.” Visit rmhdallas.org for more information and to order the cookbook.

Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells

Recipe courtesy of chef Kevin Curry Servings: 6-8 6 ounces jumbo pasta shells 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh garlic 1 medium onion, diced 5 portobello mushroom caps, gills removed then diced 1 pinch sea salt, plus additional, to taste 1 pinch pepper, plus additional, to taste 2 cups shredded kale 3 tablespoons water 15 ounces skim milk ricotta cheese 4 tablespoons pesto 1 tablespoon The Fit Cook Land spice blend 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat marinara, divided 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat mozzarella fresh herbs, for garnish

Daddy’s Birthday Flan

FAMILY FEATURES

Recipe courtesy of chef Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells Ninamarie Bojekian Mendoza Servings: 10-12 Recipe courtesy of chef Kevin Curry Servings: 6-8 Caramel Sauce: 6 ounces jumbo pasta shells 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup water 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 tablespoon fresh garlic 1 medium onion, diced Cake: 1 1/2 all-purpose flour 5 portobello mushroom caps, gillscups removed then diced 1 pinch sea salt, plus additional,1 toteaspoon taste baking powder 1 pinch pepper, plus additional, taste baking soda 1/4 toteaspoon 2 cups shredded kale 1/4 teaspoon salt 3 tablespoons water 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at 15 ounces skim milk ricotta cheese room temperature 4 tablespoons pesto 3/4 cup granulated sugar 1 tablespoon The Fit Cook Land 2 spice large blend eggs teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat marinara,1/2 divided 1 1/2 cups reduced-fat mozzarella3/4 cup buttermilk 3 tablespoons rainbow fresh herbs, for garnish sprinkles (optional) Flan: Birthday Flan Daddy’s

large eggs Recipe4courtesy of chef 1 can (14 ounces) Ninamarie Bojekian Mendoza sweetened condensed Servings: 10-12 milk Caramel Sauce: 1 cup granulated sugar 1/4 cup water Green Curry

Green Curry

Recipe courtesy of chef Nikky Phinyawatana Servings: 2 2 cups fresh spinach 1 cup water 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 2 tablespoons green curry paste 8 ounces skinless, boneless chicken, beef or pork, sliced thin 1 small Japanese purple eggplant 2 cups coconut milk 4 teaspoons granulated sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/2 cup bamboo shoots, sliced 1/4 medium red bell pepper, sliced thin

Green Curry

Photo courtesy of Ink Phinyawatana

8-10 Thai basil leaves, plus additional, for garnish, divided 2 cups cooked jasmine rice In blender, blend spinach and water until mixture turns green and no leaves are visible. In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, heat oil. Add green curry paste and stir to release fragrance, about 10 seconds. Add protein and cook 3-5 minutes. Add blended spinach water, purple eggplant, coconut milk, sugar and salt. Bring to boil. Add bamboo shoots and red bell pepper. Simmer 10 minutes. Stir in basil leaves and turn off heat. Serve with jasmine rice and garnish with additional basil leaves.

Cake: 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 1/4 teaspoon baking soda 1/4 teaspoon salt 3/4 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature 3/4 cup granulated sugar 2 large eggs 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 3/4 cup buttermilk 3 tablespoons rainbow sprinkles (optional) Flan: 4 large eggs 1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

Preheat oven to 420 F. Bring pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta shells according to package instructions. Drain then set aside. Heat pot or cast-iron casserole dish over medium heat. Once hot, add oil, garlic, onion and mushrooms. Add pinch of sea salt and pepper as it cooks. Cook until onions turn brown and mushrooms shrink in size, about 3-5 minutes. Empty contents and set aside. Place pot back over heat. Add shredded kale and water to create steam. Toss kale in pot until it turns vibrant green; set aside to cool. In large bowl, mix ricotta cheese with mushroom mixture, kale, pesto and spice blend. In casserole dish, spread about 1/2 cup marinara on bottom. Then one-by-one, stuff each pasta shell with approximately 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture and add to casserole dish. Repeat with remaining shells. Cover shells with remaining marinara and mozzarella cheese. Cover casserole dish with foil and bake 20 minutes. During final 5 minutes, remove foil so mozzarella can brown. Garnish with fresh herbs and salt and pepper, to taste. 1 can (12 ounces) Fold in rainbow sprinkles, Baked Stuffed Pasta Shells evaporated milk if desired. Pour batter into pans over 1 tablespoon Preheat oven to 420vanilla F. caramel sauce. extract Bring pot of salted water to boil. Cook pasta shells according to To make flan: In blender on cinnamon, packageground instructions. Drain then set aside. high speed, blendheat. eggs, sweetened to or taste Heat pot cast-iron casserole dish over medium Once hot, condensed milk, evaporated add oil, garlic, onion and mushrooms. Add pinch of sea salt andmilk In saucepan, heat granulated and vanilla until well combined. pepper as water it cooks. until onions turn brown and mushrooms sugar and overCook mediumGently pourand through strainer shrink size,melted. about 3-5 minutes. Empty contents set aside. low heatinuntil and onto prepared cake Place pot back heat. Add shredded kale and water to batter. create Preheat oven to over 350 F. Sprinkle cinnamon ontotop. steam. Toss pot until it turns vibrant green; set aside cool. Grease andkale flourin9-inch Bundt Place pan in water bathkale, pan. aside. InSet large bowl, mix ricotta cheese with mushroom mixture, by putting it in larger baking When pesto andsugar spiceliquifies blend. and turns dish, pan, pan or golden brown, remove from about heat 1/2 In casserole dish, spread cuproasting marinara on hotel bottom. similar. hot water halfway and useone-by-one, silicone spatula whisk Then stuff or each pasta shell withPour approximately to stir. While stirring, up to sides to create water bath. 2 tablespoons ricotta quickly mixture and add casserole dish. Repeat pour prepared Bundt pan. Bake approximately 1 hour. with into remaining shells. To make cake:with In large bowl, marinara Cakeand should be golden brown and Cover shells remaining mozzarella cheese. sift flour, baking powder, baking jiggle shaken whenfinal done. Cover casserole dish with foil and bake 20when minutes. During soda and salt. Set aside. Remove cake from water bath 5 minutes, remove foil so mozzarella can brown. In another bowl, use hand and pepper, cool on to rack 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs and salt and taste. mixer on medium speed to beat Run knife or spatula carefully butter and sugar, about 3 minutes, around edges to separate. Place until Add eggs and vanilla. 1 fluffy. can (12 ounces) plate top of cake and, while Fold on in rainbow sprinkles, evaporated milk Beat well. if holding desired.it, flip over carefully Pourquickly. batter into pans over 1 tablespoon vanilla beat and On low speed, gradually caramel sauce. at least 1 hour or Refrigerate in flour extract mixture and buttermilk To make flan: In serving. blender on ground cinnamon, overnight before until combined. high speed, blend eggs, sweetened to taste condensed milk, evaporated milk In saucepan, heat granulated and vanilla until well combined. sugar and water over mediumGently pour through strainer low heat until melted. and onto prepared cake batter. Preheat oven to 350 F. Sprinkle cinnamon on top. Grease and flour 9-inch Bundt Place pan in water bath pan. Set aside. by putting it in larger baking When sugar liquifies and turns dish, roasting pan, hotel pan or golden brown, remove from heat and use silicone spatula or whisk similar. Pour hot water halfway to stir. While stirring, quickly up sides to create water bath. pour into prepared Bundt pan. Bake approximately 1 hour. To make cake: In large bowl, Cake should be golden brown and sift flour, baking powder, baking jiggle when shaken when done. soda and salt. Set aside. Remove cake from water bath In another bowl, use hand and cool on rack 10 minutes. mixer on medium speed to beat Run knife or spatula carefully butter and sugar, about 3 minutes, around edges to separate. Place until fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. plate on top of cake and, while holding it, flip over carefully Beat well. Daddy’s Birthday Flan and quickly. On low speed, gradually beat Refrigerate at least 1 hour or in flour mixture and buttermilk overnight before serving. until combined.

Photo courtesy of Ink Phinyawatana

Daddy’s Birthday Flan

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

PHOTO SOURCE: (c) Merlas / iStock via Getty Images Plus

5 Style Ideas for Heading Back to the Office

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STYLE IDES FOR HEADING BACK TO THE OFFICE | BY AUTHOR

If you’ve been working remotely for the past year and a half, you’ve likely traded in your standard business attire for more casual items, like t-shirts, flip-flops and other trademarks of weekend wear. And if you’re not looking forward to giving up this comfort or your personal style when you return to the office, have no fear. Here are five great ways to stay comfortable, fashionable and professional in the workplace:

variety of styles, colors and features.

1. COZY PANTS: Have you ever conducted a Zoom meeting pants-free? If the answer is yes, or you’ve been rocking sweats, the time is now to find office-appropriate pants you love. The good news is that pants that feel like leggings or sweats, but fit like trousers, are available from a number of brands in a range of colors and styles.

4. A MULTIFACETED BAG: If you’re heading back to the office, you may be headed back to the gym too, which means you need one bag to take you from work to workout. The Kinetic backpack from Athleta features a pocket for your laptop, a water bottle compartment and a separate shoe storage bag, and its olive green design is both subdued enough for work and stylish enough for play.

2. A NIFTY TIMEPIECE: A watch is a classic workplace accessory that completes any outfit. And these days, hyper-functional dress watches, such as those from the Edifice line from Casio, can keep you not just on time, but in style too. The EQB1100XDC-1A in particular, sports an office-ready look with its black IP band and green IP tachymeter octagon bezel. The Tough Solar power system enables charging by exposure to even small amounts of light (perfect for interior offices) and it all comes packed into 8.9 mm case, which fits nicely under a button down shirt sleeve. With a Bluetooth Smartphone Link providing access to the time in over 300 cities globally, you can schedule meetings with anyone anywhere with confidence. Looking for more of a throwback look and feel? Casio’s Vintage line of trendy and fun watches features a minimalist design in a

3. SNEAKERS you can wear to work: New low-key designs make it possible to enjoy the comfort and support of sneakers in the office. The sustainably-made everyday sneakers from Allbirds, for example, come in neutral tones like charcoal, navy and grey, and are even machine washable, making it easy to maintain a crisp, professional look.

5. TRAVEL MUG: If your favorite coffee is the coffee you make at home, you can still enjoy your morning cup of joe on-the-go with a sleek travel mug that keeps your hot beverages hot and your iced beverages cool for the duration of your commute and beyond. Those from S’well have a condensation-free exterior and won’t drip, making them safe around your devices and paperwork once you arrive at the office. By prioritizing both style and comfort in your workday wear, you can return to the office fashionably, professionally and with a smile on your face.

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

LaLa Faces Cosmetics Brand Expansion

By Lala Sanyang

Hello Queens, The much-anticipated expansion has launched. Now introducing LaLa Faces Cosmetics foundation and concealers line. The introductory line launched has six High-Definition full coverage liquid foundation shades, five Dual Powder foundation shades, three concealers shades and a Canvas Makeup Primer. Some amazing aspects about the line is; it is Paraben-free, lightweight feel to the skin, provides sheer to full coverage application, oil free, and can be worn by all skin types. We started with foundation shades that captures some of most common shade that women of color use. We have been using and testing the products months prior to the launch to really understand how well the product work on different types of skin. And we can truly say whether you have dry skin, normal skin or oily skin can be used by all skin types. The liquid foundation is oil free and provides a matte finish without drying out the skin. The consistency is velvety, leaving you with a flawless finish. It is perfect for everyday wear and professional photography without any flashback. If you don’t find your exact shade match in one bottle don’t be afraid to purchase two bottles to mix and make your own distinct shade, everyone will not be an exact shade out of the bottle. We each have distinct a

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shade and undertone to our skins that requires a special match at times. As a Makeup Artist I highly encourage my clients to create their perfect shade. One of the most unique aspects of the liquid foundation is the bottle packaging. The bottle itself has an air pump applicator forcing the product to the top of bottle after each pump, therefore when the bottle is empty you are not leaving any product in the bottle unlike other major brands. We wanted to make sure you are not throwing your hard-earned money in the trash. The Dual Powder foundation is such a versatile product. It is perfect for setting the liquid foundation and can be worn alone, either wet or dry, depending on the desired covers. The concealers have a liquid consistency with an amazing blendabilty. And don’t forget about the Canvas Makeup Primer, it is something that every woman should have on their vanity. Makeup wearer or not, everyone can wear this product, it gives a smooth appearance to the skin. To learn more about this beauty brand expansion and your shade match visit www.LaLaFaces.Com

Take care Queens and stay safe. xoxo, Lala Sanyang

LALAFACES COSMETICS BRAND EXPANSION | LAWANDA SANYANG

Dual Powder Foundation (color shown - Mocha)

Full Coverage Concealer (color shown - Coffee Bean)

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

HD Liquid Foundation (color shown - Dark Tan)

HD Liquid Foundation (color shown - Mocha)

HD Liquid Foundation (color shown - Sable)

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www.lalafaces.com

BEAUTY AND FASHION

Charlotte Classy and Curvy in the City

Photographers sought out to spotlight Charlotte, NC curvy models showing elegance and grace while capturing the beauty of uptown Charlotte architecture.

Models | Tayona Stax (black outfit) @tayona_stax Pecantan Johnson (red dress) @shapagus28 Nicole Burton (sequin dress) @nicole_s_burton Photographer | BF Photography and Images @ bfphotographyandimages

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

The CROWN you wear in real life

By Crystal D. Lewis 28 years as a Licensed Cosmetologist, Beauty Expert, Educator/Trainer, Philanthropist and Owner of I Say Yes Salon and Spa, LLC (Cinnaminson, NJ) Email: Isayyessalonspallc@gmail.com Website:Isayyessalonandspa.com Join the I Say Yes Community follow, like and share us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter: @isayyessalonspa

Hello my lovely Ladies and Gentlemen: Invest money on your hair. It’s the only CROWN you wear in real life. You are queens and kings in your curls or straight hair and it’s the only crown that no one can take off of you -Rajashree Singha Guess what! October 1, 2021 is National Hair Day, that’s right, I know I will be celebrating this day in the salon and I want you to celebrate it with me. Finally there is a day that we can take the time to really love our hair. As I was doing my research, I came across some fun facts to share with you. So grab a cup of coffee, tea, wine, pull up a chair, and enjoy these super cool fun facts about hair!

Photo by Tomaz Barcellos from Pexels

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THE CROWN YOU WEAR IN REAL LIFE | CRYSTAL D. LEWIS

• Since ancient times women have been obsessed with hair. Cleopatra washed her hair in donkey’s milk. • The average person has roughly between 100,000 and 150,000 strands of hair on their head. • Natural blondes have more hair than all other colors! They top the charts with 150,000 strands; black and brunettes have 100,000 strands, brown has 110,000 and redheads average about 90,000 strands. • Hair is the fastest growing tissue in the body. The only thing that grows faster is bone marrow • A single hair strand has a thickness of .016 – .05 mm. • Everybody sheds between 40-150 strands of hair per day. • Crash dieting can cause temporary hair loss. • Hair is made of keratin, like our skin and fingernails. Horns, hooves, claws, feathers, beaks, quills, and whales are all, also made of keratin. • Men grow hair faster than women

it helps us to have healthy hair. So, color your hair pink or purple with polka dots, braid it, throw a weave or a wig in it or just wear your hair short and flirty. Today is a day to celebrate your personality as personified by your hair and to explore ways to keep it lustrous and healthy. On National Hair Day let’s work that hair, Ladies and Gentleman! Be proud of it. Thank you to my Queen Size Magazine Community. Keep the questions coming. Remember to Drink your Water and Take Your Vitamins. I SAY YES!

I really would like to see all of us fall in love with the crown of our hair that God has blessed us with. Some of us were born with different types, textures, lengths, and colors of hair. Natural hair texture can be fine, thick, or coarse. Our hair type can be straight, wavy, curly, and kinky. I truly love looking at all the natural beautiful hair colors that we were born with. So on Natural Hair Day, just try a new hairstyle, color, cut and let’s try something different. Make sure you treat your hair with a good quality shampoo to cleanse and a good conditioner to moisturize your hair. Treat your hair to a hair detox or treatment. Get professional hair trims every season (winter, spring, summer and fall). Take care of yourself and eat a wellbalanced diet along with plenty of sleep because believe it or not

Photo by Liza Summer from Pexels

Photo by Monstera from Pexels

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

Professional Photography Services PORTRAIT HEADSHOT FASHION EDITORIAL SPORTS BOUDOIR MATERNITY + AND MORE

FOR BOOKINGS

PDREWPHOTOGRAPHY@GMAIL.COM

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ARTICLE TITLE | BY AUTHOR

ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS HERE SEE PAGE 26 FOR MORE INFO FOLLOW US

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

Moving on to Fall by Ashley Walker

Jumpsuit & images by | @glamboutiquebynew Model |Ashley Walker @msbeyoudoyou WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM|OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE

MOVING ON TO FALL | ASHLEY WALKER

If you are anything like me, you love Fall. I love the colors, the weather, gaining the hour back, the holidays, basically all things Fall. We all know that depending on where we live, we can’t break out the boots and trenches just yet, to honor that very first day. So what does a good Summer to Fall fashion transition look like? What are we feeling this season? A few pieces that come to my mind are neutral maxi dresses, a good transitional jumpsuit, lightweight dresses paired with a nice lightweight cardigan, and a good 2-piece cotton or knit set to keep it comfy yet cute. Good transitional pieces are made of fabric that covers, but not too heavy since the weather has not yet transitioned either. These pieces often have more of our neutral tones since it’s time to put those louder colors in the bins until next year. Layering capability is a must to be factored in because this time of transition can be a bit unpredictable!! As it gets cooler in the first part of our days, we still may find ourselves removing layers by lunchtime. Here are some looks that should give you an idea of which styles can take us from the end of Summer into the much-anticipated Fall season. What will be your go-to looks to tide you over until temperatures drop?!! Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model |Tranica Willis @ms_twills Dress | @saks

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @charissolutionsphotography Model | Larklynn Price @larkynnprice

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

Photographer | Alfred Beverly @ charissolutionsphotography Model | Calvetta Lane @vettablue Jumpsuit | @yesacboutique

MOVING ON TO FALL | ASHLEY WALKER

Jumpsuit & images by | @glamboutiquebynew Model |Ashley Walker @msbeyoudoyou

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

Affordable Skin Care Tips to Battle Breakouts and Acne

Fresh Faced Skin Care patient

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AFFORDABLE SKIN CARE TIPS TO BATTLE BREAKOUTS AND ACNE | STATEPOINT

Do you suffer from acne or breakouts? Don’t stress! Millions of Americans of all ages are affected by acne and it’s easier and more affordable to treat than you may think.

Fresh Faced Skin Care’s Clarity Serum gently dissolves dead skin cells to firm and smooth skin, prevent breakouts and minimize pores for clearer and brighter skin.

Indeed, regular dermatologist visits and costly medications are out of reach for many. The good news is what actually works best are natural, non-toxic products scientifically-formulated to prevent and treat acne.

3. Moisturize. There’s no need to consider age or complexion when choosing the right moisturizer. You need only consider your skin type.

“An easy, affordable routine can be just as effective as prescription medications or pricey treatments,” says Erica Suppa, founder of Fresh Faced Skin Care, who uses her scientific background in skin biology and cosmetic chemistry to create natural products that help resolve teen, adult, noninflamed and cystic acne. As Suppa notes, breakouts can be caused by almost anything: excess sweat, makeup, supplements, hormones and even “maskne” (acne caused by wearing a mask). Acne lives in your upper layers of skin for 90 days and you need to exfoliate those layers away gently and gradually. To treat acne and help with aging, Suppa suggests this routine: 1. Cleanse: Cleanse skin gently to detoxify, fight bacteria, reduce breakouts and calm redness. To do so without depleting natural moisture, consider Fresh Faced Purifying Bar. Clay-based, it doesn’t strip oil and is suitable for all skin types. It also contains tea tree and lavender oil to help calm skin. 2. Exfoliate: Skin cells fall off during the day and you need to prevent them from combining with oil in your pores and forming a plug. Gently exfoliate your skin with products that include ingredients to dissolve dead skin. This also helps to firm skin and prevent breakouts. Look for products that contain mandelic acid to dissolve dead skin cells and stimulate new cells, as well as lactic acid to stimulate collagen renewal and fade unwanted pigmentation. Lastly, avoid products with coconut oil, sodium chloride and algae extracts, as these ingredients block pores.

Moisturize twice daily to balance your skin’s oil and water content. For oily skin, select water-based products. (Look for water in the top five ingredients.) One good choice is Balance Moisturizer from Fresh Faced Skin Care. If you have combination or dry skin without breakouts, select a moisturizer based on your main skin concern. For example, to lighten dark spots, use a moisturizer containing niacinamide or vitamin C, such as Fresh Faced Skin Care’s Enrich Moisturizer. 4. Protect: Beyond sun protection, sunscreen helps prevent acne scarring from remaining visible and slows signs of aging. Select a sunscreen that doesn’t contain chemical ingredients. Calming Protection SPF40 from Fresh Faced Skin Care is great for sensitive, red and irritated skin and rosacea. Tinted Facial Protection SPF40 on the other hand, is good for darker skin tones. When it comes to your routine, Suppa says simplicity is the key. This is why she created the Fresh Faced Clear Skin Essentials kit. This easy, three-step skin care routine (cleanse, exfoliate and moisturize) addresses the root cause of all types of acne and breakouts. For more skin care tips, visit freshfacedskincare. com. By selecting skin care backed by science over prestige beauty brands, you’re not only getting on board the latest trend, you’re likely to experience proven results that last.

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Queen Size Magazine is an award-winning print and digital publication Founded in 2011, we are(QSM) a magazine dedicated to monthly Queen Size women. Queen Size is notdedicated only about to servicing the full-figured industry. We are a voice for today’s women and men; simply sending the the physical size, but also the mental. We are dedicated to highlighting women of all walks life. Ifon message that we exist, and we will be heard. Queen Size Magazine publishes articles thatof focus you are a fashion, woman and making Queen Size Our moves, then thisatis QSM, whereis you belong. We do not ourselves lifestyle, beauty topics. focus here to bring our readers thelimit latest news toand just women; this was the basis of why we created the magazine. We are to highlight and trends surrounding the fashion industry. From eye-catching images tolooking controversial articles; we capture all every month without missing aboth beat.men Additionally, we pride ourselves on providing promote smallitbusinesses owners/entrepreneurs, and women. Queen Size Magazine puts a platform for every both established up &articles coming professionals in our industry. At Queen Size we out a new issue month withand realistic written by real life people. We have writers that believe and promote that women and men of all shape, size, height, and color are equal. cover health and fitness, true life situations and experiences, fashion, recipes and more.

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SHEENA POSTELL | QSM

Sheena Postell Sheena Postell is a model and lifestyle influencer from Hartford, Connecticut. In 2018, she graduated from the University of St. Joseph’s with a Masters in Social Work. Sheena is a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority Incorporated and serves Chi Eta Zeta Chapter in Cambridge, Massachusetts. In 2014, Sheena stepped into the fashion industry with one goal in mind; and that was to succeed. As a freelance model, she has traveled to many parts of the globe walking in fashion shows, pop up shops and being a part of countless model competitions. Sheena didn’t expect that her journey as a model would lead her to venturing out to different parts of the fashion industry. Sheena is currently media correspondent for Queen Size Magazine an opportunity that led her to creating her own social media platform called Bilonn’s Vision; a platform in which she has multiple clients. Sheen is now one of the leading plus influencers in the industry working with many brands. In 2021 Sheena stepped out on faith and competed in the Ms. Full-Figured USA pageant. As the 1st runner up, Sheena plans to use her platform to spread awareness about learning disabilities.

Photographer | Bee Cole @bee_cole Model | Sheena Postell @mspostell MUA | Naisha Yolande @naishayolande Hair | Xia Charles @braided_

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Photographer | Bee Cole @bee_cole Model | Sheena Postell @mspostell MUA | Naisha Yolande @naishayolande Hair | Xia Charles @braided_

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SHEENA POSTELL | QSM

QSM: So Sheena, you have been up to a lot! First, let’s talk about your recent pageant experience. Sheena: Thank you so much! Winning Ms. Full-Figured At Large 1st Runner Up 2021 was remarkable and I proved to myself that I can really do great things if I believe in myself. This Journey To The Crown has been remarkable! I have met some great women from all walks of life and am blessed to receive outstanding advice from them as well. I am so glad that I decided to have a leap of faith and have endless belief in myself. I challenged myself, pushed myself, stayed consistent, and created a strong support system. I raised over three thousand dollars for my pageant with the support of my sponsors. This will always be a major accomplishment in my life. Thank you to the wonderful CEO and Founder of Ms. Full-Figured USA @ msfullfiguredusa Ms. Theresa Randolph for creating this platform. Lorrine Coleman-Ross DMV Pageant Director for her sisterhood support, and unconditional love. To my remarkable sponsors that believed in me, my vision, my drive, my passion and goal. Thank you Harvest Focused Consulting, The Ultimate Sacrifice, Queen Size Magazine, Trac House Salon, Dyslexia P.Q.B.D, Be You Do You, Tha Team Podcast, Figure 8 Curve Boutique, Brown Skin Company and Tony’s Talk Podcast. Last but never least my awesome Tiara Team that Took this year long process with me and never left my side. The talented Denita Philips owner of Denita’s Artistry and the courageous Sharonda Grandberry owner of Pink Throne Styles. These women wholeheartedly made my journey path to the crown sparkle with love and compassion. QSM: Congratulations on winning first runner up. Can you talk about your platform and how you plan to carry it out? Sheena: My mighty platform is “Seeing your

Ability through your Disability”. Dyslexia occurs in children with normal vision and intelligence, but the issue lies with late diagnosis. Learning disabilities are common. Between 8% and 10% of children under age 18 in the United States may have some type of learning disability. Now that’s Where I Come In and Shine! I was diagnosed at the age of 12 and reading at a second-grade level but God had another plan for me. I stand firm and proud of how unique I am and I am a living testimony that you too can “See your Ability through your Disability”. With my platform I will be continuing to spread awareness about learning disabilities and how important it is to get educated support for children through tutoring, after school programs and higher education prep programs. As well as parents I’d have children with learning disabilities. My beautiful mother Rev. Sandra Postell was the one who advocated for my education and sacrificed her life savings in doing so. Without her making sure that my education was correct and well done, I would not be who I am standing before you all today. My goal is to offer two scholarships to two students that are in learning disability programs from the 8th and 12th grade. I want these students to know that they are loved and uniquely made and supported. Definitely stay tuned as I promote and share wonderful things for the remaining of the year. This is something you don’t want to miss. QSM: You also took home some auxiliary awards from the pageant. What were they again? Sheena: Ms. Full-Figured At Large Photogenic 2021 Ms. Full-Figured At Large Social Media 2021

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QSM: Let me hit the rewind button a bit. How have you been doing during these challenging times? Sheena: It has been a horrible and scary year. I am essential worker and working at a nursing home as a social worker. I have witnessed the highs and lows of Covid within the elderly population. I have witnessed residents healthy and within one working shift they have stopped talking and eating. On the other hand, I am so proud of myself for earning my degrees so that I can service the community with quality service in this way. Also educating my family and friends on how to be safe for themselves so they are safe around others. I learned how to love myself more and trying new ways to keep calm, communicate to my loved ones. QSM: You have been able to successfully pivot during this pandemic. Without giving away your secrets, can you briefly share some of your strategic thoughts on that? Sheena: Well to be honest I simply did it! I wanted to work with more brands so I created an email and contacted them. I wanted to learn how to shoot my own content so I used my home, backyard and free locations in my town and practiced. I wanted to learn more about how to do my own makeup so like everyone else I went to YouTube University and learned. The hardest thing was to actually do it. With trial and error, I mastered it and hyped my own self up and showed others that they can do it as well. QSM: By now most of the industry knows you as the social media Queen (even before the sash). I am not bragging but you took our Instagram and blew it up! But what I am most proud of is that you took what you learned and created another stream of income. Tell us about Bilonn’s Vision. Sheena: Hahaha it’s crazy how my plan was to be noticed for just modeling but God had another plan in mind. Bilonn’s Vision was a big, unexpected surprise that landed in my heart. I never knew that working with Queen Size Magazine on this level would open doors in this capacity.

Having access to a Media Pass to attend events was the biggest and best blessing that I could ever asked for. Being able to showcase how things went at an event or red carpet through videos and pictures was my extra key to my success. Being a woman with a learning disability limits me to not experience myself with words but it gave me countless access to experience it through social media by a way of video and photos. I literally allowed the videos and pictures to speak for itself and to tell a story through my eyes. That’s how Bilonn’s Vision was birthed.

SHEENA POSTELL | QSM

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One of my counselors at my alumni Land Mark High School of Beverly, Massachusetts @ landmarkschool told me that he could see me having my own TV Show one day and I need to put my name on it. Well, it’s not a show so I thought putting my beautiful middle name as my brand would be even better. Bilonn’s Vision is a social media service that provides high quality coverage for events that cater specifically for your online Audience. In a nutshell, “Let me Post, While You Host” is my slogan and the main action behind the brand. Me being able to take over your social media platform to give a snippet of what’s going on in real time so that your followers feel included. This allows to do the three things that I love; travel, meet new people and creating new experiences for the world to enjoy through my intelligent dyslexic mind. QSM: You haven’t always had highs when it comes to working in the industry. Can you share some of the moments when you felt discouraged? Sheena: Oh yes I had plenty of those challenging moments in my modeling career. When I first started out, I attended a lot of auditions and would arrive to the studio laughing, giggling and not being focused. I quickly learned that being professional from the moment walking into the building counts towards your audition. So I hated the fact that I loss out on opportunities because I wasn’t focused. I allowed my surroundings of others to affect me and threw me off my game. There was a part of my career that I entered a lot of model searches and model competitions. Just to make it to the final round and loose by 2 points or get cut days before the production. Experiencing that type of hurt cuts deeper than a knife. People don’t talk about the disappointing feelings, horrible crying sessions or painful thoughts that run through your mind as you reply every moment down to the second to figure out “what went wrong”. Once you gather yourself, you put on a smile and keep pushing. No one ever talks about how to deal with losing and not winning something that you know you deserved. It’s just how you handle it and move on is what counts.

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QSM: True story!!! How have you been able to trust the process? Sheena: It’s not easy at all to trust the process but the sooner you realize that “life happens”, the better you are with handing things that come your way. Life experiences are supposed to change you, elevate you and make you better. My late cousin Trevon Cheatem CEO of Get In Get Fit @getingetfit always said “Your losses are not your failures, count your losses as experiences”. I continue to make sure to practice that phrase as much as possible and I encourage others to do the same. QSM: What do you say to people who get into this fashion industry and think it is going to be all fun and games? Sheena: Being a professionally unsigned model for 7 years has been remarkable, but you must possess a spirit of “stick-to-itiveness”. Now this is something that cannot be taught, but only is learned by experience. Walking into the fashion industry is not easy because your only competition is yourself and that is the hardest thing that anyone can experience. It’s not easy learning something new, accepting negative feedback, looking into your flaws, and correcting them. You have to have an open mind and a wiliness to fix it. QSM: What are some of the things that we can look out for from you? Sheena: To be honest, I really don’t know. LoL There are times I want to look into becoming a professor at a college to teach Self Care or learn how to become a professional ballroom dancer. I also thought of doing a documentary on how fashion shows are produced and developed. Maybe showing another side of the fashion industry that hasn’t been represented but is extremely needed. I say all that to say this, your next move will always be a gamble. It’s really up to you on how you process it and follow through with it. Just know and keep a lookout for my creative side to shine through. No matter if it’s learning more modeling techniques, investing in higher education with the modeling industry, actually using my master’s degree or living my best life.

SHEENA POSTELL | QSM

Photographer | Bee Cole @bee_cole Model | Sheena Postell @mspostell MUA | Naisha Yolande @naishayolande Hair | Xia Charles @braided_

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Photographer | Bee Cole @bee_cole Model | Sheena Postell @mspostell MUA | Naisha Yolande @naishayolande Hair | Xia Charles @braided_

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SHEENA POSTELL | QSM

BEAUTY AND FASHION

Haircare

with Nathaniel Jaye Hey hey hey!! Back like I never left; did you miss me? Of course, you did. So much has been going on but it’s so good to be slowly getting back to normal. I thought this would be a great time to do some Q &A. I get all these amazing questions in my DM that I often times don’t get an opportunity to respond to; no, I am not ignoring you , life just gets in the way. So, we thought it would be a great opportunity to do so now. So let’s jump right into it.

How often should I be washing my hair? Ideally in a normal world I would say weekly; however, life gets busy and every week is not always conducive. So, every two weeks Is just fine; especially if you are relaxed. Now as for my natural sisters and brothers shampooing your natural tresses every week can be a full day’s work. I suggest co-washing in between shampoos; at least with this you are able to rehydrate your curls and freshen your style up without stripping it of its oils. Moreover, I know a lot of you work out and sweat a lot in your hair; if you need to shampoo it more often that is totally fine. Just be sure to use the proper shampoo and conditioner that will keep your hair moisturized and not dry out.

For someone who wears braids a lot; how long is a safe duration to keep them in? In My professional opinion two months is max; but always give your scalp and hair a break in between. Wearing braids back to back may cause much damage to your scalp over time. Be sure you are deep conditioning once the braids have been removed. Even while you have the braids in you can some astringent and WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM|OCTOBER 2020 ISSUE

cotton balls to clean your scalp from the oils, dirt and sweat build up.

I have natural hair, but it is not curly. How can I get the natural hairstyles without my hair just looking nappy? I think it’s so important that when going natural you know your curl pattern and what your hair can and can not do. Its A LOT of trial and error. I always suggest going to a natural hairstylist; whom is proficient in natural hair so that they may give you some ideas about how to care for it at home. I have come to realize that many women are using products wrong. Either they are overusing it or under using it. Normally the denser the hair the more product you need. Another mistake is that some women are not allowing their hair to fully dry; which causes the style to not take and it leaves it looking very frizzy and dry. Be sure that the products you are using do not have alcohol in them; alcohol does tend to dry the hair out a lot. Take your time and know that sometimes it will take a couple products for your hair to really respond in a positive way, pay attention to the ingredients that are in said products. Some products have a lot of fillers in them and less of the essentials oils your seeking.

HAIRCARE Q&A | NATHANIEL JAYE

I am getting married and I want to hire a hairstylist for myself and my bridal party of six,. does everyone need their own hairstylist? How many should I hire? Typically, the bride hires one hairstylist and that hairstylist may bring an assistant to help. In Some cases, the bride may hire her personal hairstylist to do her hair only and maybe contract another hairstylist to do the wedding party. Hiring six hairstylists can be a bit essessive and costly. Another option is that you can have the bridesmaids get their hair done by their own hairstylist the day before. Ultimately Its your wedding and you make the choices on how you want things to flow.

So my question is more on safety. What should I be looking for when I book my appointments? Other than is everyone wearing a mask. You should be looking to see how many clients are being serviced at the same time, are they social distancing like they should. Look for signs that have the salons safety protocol. Watch to see if they are properly sanitizing and disinfecting not only their stations and chairs but their tools as well. All of these things are so important to stop the spread of COVID-19 and to keep the salon safe from any other harms viruses and/or bacteria. Another great thing to lookout for do they have hand sanitizer stations set up in multiple areas in the salon. Bathrooms are a huge breeding ground for viruses; pay attention to how clean the bathrooms are, and do they have the proper antibacterial handwashing soap.

As someone with natural hair, I have always wondered about Keratin treatments. What exactly is that and can I say my hair is natural after getting the treatment? I personally have never done one; and I have heard many good and bad stories about the process and the aftermath. According to “The Cut” A keratin treatment is a chemical process that smooths and shines frizzy hair. Results can last up to six months. There are many different versions of the treatment that go by different names (Brazilian Blowout, Cezanne, Goldwell Kerasilk) and your hairstylist can customize a blend of the formula to suit

your needs. Some versions of the treat release formaldehyde when heated, but many newer versions are formaldehyde-free. No matter the formaldehyde content, on a basic level, keratin treatments dive into the hair follicle and inject porous areas with keratin, an essential hair protein. I strongly suggest doing your research and find a hairstylist whom is proficient in this process.

I have been perming my hair for the last ten years. Should I be worried about getting brain cancer? Although I am not a doctor and I can’t provide you with the numbers; there have been many studies done on both black and white women. Based on the research by “Medscape.com” A study of 4,285 women found a significant increase in breast cancer risk in black women who used dark shades of hair dye and in white women who used chemical hair relaxers. The risk of breast cancer was 51% higher in black women who reported using dark hair dye, compared with those who did not, and was 74% higher in white women who reported using chemical relaxers. Risk was more than doubled in whites who used both relaxers and hair dyes. I am sure more research will be conducted in the coming years; however, like anything else using relaxers is a risk and there is always a possibly that too much use of a chemical can have some adverse effects on the body.

Do you recommend a glue in weave or sew in? I do both and I love having options; both glue and sew in weaves have been given a bad name. Most of the time its due to user error and ladies leaving them in way too long. I have also come to realize that glue has latex in it and if you have a latex allergy then glue in weaves are NOT for you. Sew ins can be very beneficial as a protective style; but one must be mindful that getting sew ins back to back can have a negative effect on your hairline and the health of your scalp. Know when to take a break and let your scalp breath. GREAT questions; please Keep them coming ! as always following me on social media IG @ Hairbynathaniel_jaye. Love connecting with my readers. Until then be BOLD, be unique and be Fabulous.

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YES! TO OLD NAVY AND ITS BODEQUALITY INITIATIVE!

Photo Source Old Navy Old Navy, owned by Gap, has been selling plus-size clothes (size 16 and up) since 2004. Since then, they have overhauled its plussize strategy in an attempt to win more of the $32 billion U.S. market. “I want you to figure out plus,” Alison Partridge Stickney, the retailer’s head of women’s merchandising, said in recounting a conversation she had with Old Navy’s top executive, Sonia Syngal back in 2018. “It made sense. The market data tells you there’s this opportunity. Obviously, we were missing something.” Syngal has since been promoted to chief executive officer of Gap. Like many other brands, plus size options were housed in different areas of the online and physical stores. Old Navy thought it was time to change that. They now have one team creating all women’s apparel. WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM|OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE

All designs will be available in plus sizes. And the plus-size departments are being removed to sell all women’s fashion together. Plus size as an idea has essentially been removed. What does that mean for us? That means no more walking in the store looking up for the plus size sign. No more looking through racks and asking the sales associate “do you have this in the plus size section”. “We saw an opportunity to meaningfully change the women’s shopping experience by making it more inclusive regardless of size,” said Nancy Green, President and CEO of Old Navy. “BODEQUALITY is not a onetime campaign, but a full transformation of our business in service to our customers based on years of working closely with them to research their needs. I’m proud of the collaboration across our Old Navy teams to evolve the retail experience for women.”

OLD NAVY | QSM

According to Old Navy’s Press Release, you can look forward to Updated Fit & Design With the launch of BODEQUALITY, Old Navy reinvented its fit process and size standards to create the brand’s most democratic, comfortable, and consistent size run and fit ever. After years of extensive research, customer consultation and design reviews, Old Navy is proud to offer shoppers clothing that is fit for confidence and feels good on each and every woman as they are, no matter the size. Steps the fashion retailer implemented into their women’s fit and design process include: • Administered body scans of 389 women to create digital avatars based on real women’s bodies. • Ran fit clinics with numerous models in sizes 20-28 to build new fit blocks based on their unique proportions, revamping the industry practice of scaling up from smaller sizes. • Obsessed over every design detail - from pocket placement and their proportions, to denim waistband pitch and ankle tapers, to the body lengths of dresses, tops and outerwear - to ensure consistency in fit and aesthetic across styles and sizes. • Partnered with full-time fit models in size eight and 20 to review every single style on both women side-by-side. • Interviewed hundreds of women about body image and related fashion concerns.

revolution to life through the television placement and content extensions on Instagram and TikTok. • An extensive out-of-home campaign with close to 500 placements in New York and Los Angeles through highly visual wildpostings, static and digital bulletins, on LinkNYC screens, in NYC subways, and on digital billboards in high-traffic areas including Times Square. • An open letter from the brand to “women everywhere” announcing the inclusive and integrated shopping experience that will be featured on the Old Navy homepage, social channels and in digital ads. We are looking forward to supporting Old Navy and the changes that are implementing with US in mind. Way to go Old Navy!

Marketing Campaign On August 20, Old Navy launched a robust integrated marketing campaign to introduce BODEQUALITY to women everywhere including: • The premiere of a new TV spot starring Emmy nominated Saturday Night Live and SHRILL actress and comedian Aidy Bryant alongside a diverse group of women dancing to “I Am 100%” by Jarina De Marco. Aidy and cast will bring the fashion Photo Source Old Navy WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM| OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE

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BLACK VOICES, BLACK STORIES 3 literary treasures for summer by Family Features

As discussions surrounding race continue to evolve across the nation, Black voices and stories can provide new perspectives for readers. Whether it’s an engaging fictional tale or a historical novel recounting a moment of American heroism, these books offer captivating insight and inspiration to readers of all backgrounds. Black authors play an important role in literature by offering unique points of view. In some cases, their writings illuminate cultural experiences with an authentic, unfiltered viewpoint. Other works celebrate the accomplishments of Black heroes whose stories may otherwise go untold. These selections, written by Black authors to elevate Black voices, are top picks for summer reading. Find more literature that illuminates Black voices in America at Facebook.com/WilliamMorrowBooks. A SUMMER THAT BLENDS PAST AND PRESENT Emmy Award winner, renowned lawyer and journalist, “The View” cohost and “New York Times” bestselling author Sunny Hostin’s debut novel, “Summer on the Bluffs,” chronicles a life-changing summer on the exclusive beaches of Oak Bluffs, a Black community in Martha’s Vineyard. Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, three found sisters uncover secrets in this picturesque town that is a mecca for Black society, all while protecting their own truths. Reunited for one last golden summer together, the three vie to be the chosen heir of their godmother’s beach house. WWW.QUEENSIZEMAGAZINE.COM|OCTOBER 2021 ISSUE

SISTERS UNITED IN WARTIME SERVICE Kaia Alderson’s novel, “Sisters in Arms,” reveals the untold, true story of the Six Triple Eight, the all-Black Postal Battalion of the Women’s Army Corps, which made a dangerous voyage to Europe to ensure American servicemen received word from their loved ones. The novel explores the what life was like for the first all-Black women’s unit permitted to deploy overseas during World War II. It’s a heartfelt look at a mission many were determined to see fail, but also a powerful message of courage, friendships, romances, failed promises of desegregation (despite Mary McCleod Bethune’s efforts to prevent it) and, ultimately, triumph. FROM SLAVERY TO WEALTH AND POWER “Island Queen” is a sweeping historical novel based on the true-life story of Dorothy “Doll” Kirwan Thomas, a determined Black woman who rose from slavery to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful landowners in the colonial West Indies. After buying her freedom and securing the same for her sister and mother, Thomas’s ambition drove her from the bustling port cities of the West Indies to the forbidden drawing rooms of London’s elite. With each page, author Vanessa Riley paints a portrait of a larger-than-life woman who left her mark on history.

BLACK VOICES, BLACK STORIES | FAMILY FEATURES

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Photographer | Bee Cole @bee_cole Model | Sheena Postell @mspostell MUA | Naisha Yolande @naishayolande Hair | Xia Charles @braided_

October 2021

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CELEBRATE FAMILY AND FOOD

5 STYLE IDEAS FOR HEADING BACK TO THE OFFICE